11 Genius Ways to Help a Baby Stop Cr@ying

STEPHANIE RAUSSER

An inconsolable little one can also make a new parent feel powerless، notes Crystal Clancy of Eagan، Minnesota، a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in perinatal mental health. She says this can be particularly distressful for parents who felt competent and in control in their pre-parent life.

The good news: You will get better at interpreting and responding to your baby's cries، says Dr. McAllister. Plus، some babies with colic cry، regardless of how skilled you are at caring for them and providing comfort.1 Until then، we've rounded up some tricks to help your baby stop crying.

1. Do the Shoosh-Bounce

Rock your munchkin in a carrier while repeatedly shooshing in their ear. "I put my fussy baby in a sling and bounced her all over the apartment، the block، the city،" says Lili Zarghami of Brooklyn. "I cooked and cleaned while swinging her back and forth."

Why it works: "Studies suggest that a calming response is triggered in an infant's brain when being carried or rocked، causing the baby's heart rate to slow and the muscles to become more relaxed،" says Kristie Rivers، M.D.، a pediatrician in Fort Lauderdale. At the same time، the shooshing sound creates a repetitive distraction that your baby may focus on instead of crying.

2. Turn Up the Tunes

You needn't limit yourself to lullabies. Try all different genres and songs، including what you like. "Vivien used to chill out to 'Forget You،' by CeeLo،" says Jennifer Rainey Marquez of Atlanta. Reggae was a favorite choice for Brooklyn mom Lindsay Reinhardt's son. And Melanie Pleva، of Springfield، New Jersey، had a baby with a penchant for "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath. "He would giggle as soon as he heard it begin to play،" says Pleva.

Why it works: Like movement، music can calm the nervous system، decreasing a baby's heart and respiratory rate. And don't underestimate the power of your voice—even if you're no Taylor Swift. "Infants may be especially soothed by the sound of their mom singing because her voice is familiar and the rhythm is calming،" says Dr. Rivers.